EDWARD VTTI—DUKE OF WINDSOR

"His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has not
yet crossed the Line. I am desired by H.R.H. to say
that he is looking forward with interest to his meeting
with His Majesty King Neptune and Amphitrke his
wife, and also to his initiation as a Freeman of His
Majesty's domains." Then follows the names of those
of the Prince's staff upon whom the Order of the Bath
had been bestowed on former occasions. Rear-Admiral
Sir Lionel Halsey having crossed the Line more than
two hundred times, has been strongly recommended for
the order of Old Sea Dog. But Lieut-Colonel Grigg
and Lord Claude Hamilton, who have also crossed a
few times, state that "owing possibly to some special
favour, or else to some serious pre-occupation on the
part of His Majesty, they were not privileged to undergo
the full ceremony of initiation. They are all the more
anxious, therefore, on this account, to pay every respect
to His Majesty, and not to presume on his former
graciousness. In expressing their duty to His Majesty
they await with great humility the verdict of his most
excellent Court as to whether they will be required to
be initiated or not."

In substance and manner, is not this letter illu-
minating, showing how necessary it is for those who
are hedged in by the etiquette of Court life, to find
occasional relief in parody ? Showing, too, the kind
of diversion people at sea, voyaging across the world,
must perforce invent. Another diversion awaited the
Prince of Wales at Fiji, where the native chiefs brought
him tributes and offerings after their peculiar kind.
Then, on March 24, he entered the splendid harbour
of Auckland and was met by a scene of quite extraordinary
animation. Ships of every size surrounded the Renown,
their flying flags giving sign of the fluttering excitement
which was everywhere to be heard and seen. Stream
upon stream of welcome flowed towards the ship—
from bands blowing gaily, from children singing as
they had never sung before, from the crowds on shore.